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1 Issue 197, March 20221

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72 PAGES

GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON IN OUR WORDSEARCH

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OPEN DAYS ARE BACK AT GRINDLEY LOCKS

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Top of the locks The twinned Hillmorton Locks on the North Oxford Canal remain the busiest on the English and Welsh canal system. Members of canal heritage group the Old Mortonians are pictured with the new information board which was unveiled last summer. PHOTO SUPPLIED

TOWPATH WALK LEADS TO NARROWBOAT RESCUE

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JOURNEY ROUND THE TWO ROSES RING

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BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

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Waterways use recovers following ease of restrictions T ​ HE Canal & River Trust’s Annual Lockage Report for 2021 showed that as Covid-19 restrictions eased, most places recorded counts close to pre-pandemic levels.

Showing how many times locks were used across the trust network, it detailed a 39.4% increase in total recorded lockage from 2020 to 2021 (across 178 comparison sites).

The estimated total lockage across all the trust’s locks (not just those with lock counters) was up from 2.65 million

in 2020 to 3.70 million in 2021. This is slightly below the 2019 total, before the pandemic affected boating, when there were an estimated 3.96 million total lockages.

However, this compares a full year with just eight months as 2021 saw little traffic before May due to the extended lockdown period in the first four months of last year. In the peak summer months lockage was higher in 2021 than prior to the pandemic, reflecting the surge in

popularity once restrictions were lifted.

Hillmorton Locks 2&3 (twinned locks) on the Oxford Canal, which saw 8147 lockages – an increase of 37% – remained the busiest locks on the English and Welsh canal system. New Marton on the Llangollen Canal was the second busiest, with a 77% increase to 7457 lockages. Cholmondeston on the Shropshire Union was in third (7103), followed by Woodend on the Trent & Mersey (6279) and Bradford-on-Avon

on the Kennet & Avon (5994).

There were year-to-year variations between the different regions. The year recorded the driest April since 1980 which, compounded by ongoing reservoir safety works, affected the trust’s water resources early in the boating season, with water-saving operating times introduced on some canals in the north of the country.

• Continued on page 2

Let’s plant

Women’s day

Day out

GREEN-fingered canal supporters are being invited to help plant shrubs as part of a biodiversity corridor to improve the habitat for native species on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal on Tuesdays March 1, 15 and 22 from 10am-2pm. The planting scheme will encourage and increase biodiversity, natural planting, and improve the ecosystem of the canal corridor along the Burnley Mile. Register your interest by visiting the events page at www. canalrivertrust.org.uk and click on the Eventbrite link. The exact meeting point will then be emailed to you.

TO CELEBRATE International Women’s Day, the Canal & River Trust is offering free boat trips between 1pm and 3.45pm on Tuesday, March 8.

The trips from Cambrian House will give people the chance to explore the Birmingham Mainline Canal while learning about the roles women have played historically and currently on the canals. An evening of art, talks and theatre will follow from 6-8pm with Alarum Theatre and Manchester’s Idle Women at Birmingham Roundhouse. To book for either, visit the events page at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk and click on the Eventbrite link.

COMBINE a day out in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, with a visit to the open day on Saturday, March 12 from 10am-2pm at a historic lock on the Rochdale Canal where water saving repairs are being carried out. The public footbridge in Holme Street HX7 8EE provides a viewing platform down into the drained lock and Canal & River Trust specialists will be on hand to describe the work taking place and to host some fun family canal-themed activities. The town is renowned for its independent shops, galleries and cafes.

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March 2022 www.towpathtalk.co.uk

WELCOME ​AS I write we await the arrivals of the latest named storms – Dudley and Eunice – so it’s again time to batten down the hatches.

Hopefully the weather will settle down to let March come in like the proverbial lamb and boaters will be able to enjoy spring on the cut, free from Covid restrictions.

It’s great to see news of events including the Montgomery Triathlon returning to its traditional May date, a campaign gathering in July to coincide with the Chester Canal 250 anniversary celebrations, see page 5 and the IWA Festival of Water coming to Burtonupon-Trent in August, see page 12.

And we have our first ‘live event’ coverage of the year from the Grindley Brook open day, see Colin Wareing’s report on page 6.

Alison Alderton finds out about ambitious plans for a voyage by narrowboat across the Irish Sea to raise money for a very deserving cause. See her report on page 10.

The controversy over dead fish in the Aire & Calder Navigation at Knottingley continues and Jonathan Mosse looks at the issue from the freight operators’ point of view on page 14 while anglers are asked to send any photos to back the Angling Trust’s call for the protection of fish populations on page 67.

Nicola Lisle continues her series on waterways museums with a visit to the River and Rowing Museum at Henley-on-Thames, see page 16, while Hugh Dougherty finds plenty of canal interest in the ICE (Institute of Civil Engineers) Scotland Museum at Edinburgh, see part 19.

Working horses have played an essential role in canal transport and lovers of these magnificent beasts may be interested in the Shire Horse Show which comes to the Newark Showground in March, see details on page 19. And don’t forget the clocks go forward on Sunday, March 27.

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Apprentices ‘build the future’ and preserve the past

Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry, left, meets apprentices at Bratch Locks on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. PHOTO: CRT CANAL & River Trust apprentices in the Midlands carrying out environment enhancements on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal showed off their work to chief executive Richard Parry as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

With a theme of ‘Build the Future’, this year’s National Apprenticeship Week was closely aligned with the trust’s duties of caring for the historic waterways for future generations. The trust is committed to apprenticeship schemes and currently has 35 apprentices on board.

Richard said: “The waterways are navigated by boats in much the same way as they were 200 years ago, while today also playing a crucial role in bringing free, accessible blue spaces to local communities.”

In addition to environment works, they are learning the craft of repairing lock gates, carpentry, construction, engineering and team leading skills. A small number are office based, working towards becoming cyber security technicians and producing content.

The canal network has also benefited from the Government-funded Kickstart scheme, a programme for young people aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment. Twentytwo of the apprentices came from the first wave of kickstarters, and the trust currently has 23 young people on the second wave across Stalybridge, Nottingham and Wolverhampton.

Richard added: “It’s great to see

Improving London’s waterways for boaters THE Canal & River Trust is investing around £6 million this year in maintaining and improving its London and South East region waterways.

In addition more than £300,000 has been invested as part of the London Mooring Strategy, which aims to improve the moorings and facilities available to boaters while fairly balancing the needs of everyone who uses the capital’s waters.

More spend is planned over the next two years.

Regional director Ros Daniels said: “London is extremely popular with both local and visiting boats, which means the waterways face some unique challenges as the 200-yearold infrastructure struggles to keep up with this record number of boats.

“I’m pleased that, after a year of rigorous investigations, we are creating three-quarters of a mile of mooring spaces for boaters.

“In a bustling city, finding sites that meet the size and access requirements for new water and waste facilities has been a struggle, but we’re now pleased to have found a number of promising spots that we’ll be exploring further in 2022.”

Following thorough investigation into potential sites in 2021, the trust

is creating three-quarters of a mile of new towpath mooring space in central London, installing about 150 rings into the concrete edge on the Grand Union Canal, Regent’s Canal and Limehouse Cut. Work was due to start in February, including cutting back vegetation on the Limehouse Cut to make new and existing rings accessible.

The trust has also carried out a dredging survey which identified a half-mile stretch at Norwood Top Lock where dredging would significantly improve the ability to moor. This work is currently being scheduled for this spring.

It will also be spot-dredging and installing new mooring rings at Steele Road in West London so that boaters can moor up to use the waste facilities there.

The trust is investing £65,000 in the work to these two sites.

To balance out the environmental impact of the installation of new moorings and potential habitat loss due to shading from boats, the trust will be installing marginal habitat on the Regent’s Canal below Ben Johnson’s Lock.

This will mature into a reed bed within five years, creating habitat for juvenile fish, invertebrates, nesting birds and amphibians.

our apprentices learning their craft alongside some of our experienced colleagues. There are new skills that keep the waterways flowing too, with apprentices involved in office-based roles as well as on the bank.

“It was a pleasure to meet the apprentices at Bratch Locks and I wish them well as they help us build

a better future for the waterways and preserve this important part of the nation’s heritage.”

For more about apprentice opportunities visit: https:// canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/ work-for-us/apprenticeships

Waterways use recovers following ease of restrictions • Continued from page 1 These measures meant that the trust was able to ensure that water supplies were available to keep canals open over the peak summer period.

CRT national hydrology manager Adam Comerford said: “The monitoring of lock operations across our waterways remains an essential element in our water resources management as well as providing an insight into any changing patterns in use across the network.

“The last two years have been like no other, with the lifting of pandemic restrictions resulting in increases in lock use that are unprecedented in the 21 years of preparing this report. It goes to show that boaters, be they liveaboards, leisure boaters or holidaymakers, were keen to get back out cruising on the water.”

Volunteer lock keepers were

Investigations into the feasibility of potential new or improved customer service facilities are continuing in 2022 with the aim of installing further facilities this year and again in 2023.

The trust has run initial checks and service searches on 10 potential sites and will be exploring six of these further over the coming months to see if any are viable for development (Enfield, Steele Road, Old Ford Lock, Old Oak Lane, Horse & Barge, and Eastwick).

Four other sites, including Bull’s Bridge, Paddington Basin, Springwell and Pickett’s Lock, were investigated but have proved not to be viable.

Alongside these key infrastructure

present at 119 sites, helping boaters and playing a vital role in the water saving efforts, recording 136,500 hours of lock keeping.

‘Lockage’ can be defined simply as lock usage through the filling and emptying of a lock chamber, which in turn allows the movement of water and passage of boats. It is important to distinguish lockage from boat movements, which are the actual number of boats which travel through a lock.

The trust separates boat movements from lockage to acknowledge that averages can be skewed by the boat:lockage ratio (in the case of a typical broad lock, the ratio can be between one and four boats per lockful of water used).

The report can be found on the Canal & River Trust website: https:// canalrivertrust.org.uk/lockages

and facilities works, the trust has contributed funding towards a pilot scheme for composting waste, responding to the growing use of separator toilets.

Start-up business Circular Revolution is operating a year-long pilot providing an ‘at your mooring’ service collecting composting toilet waste, initially covering East London and now extended to Central and West London.

For a full list of progress on the changes, visit: canalrivertrust. org.uk/londonmooringstrategy

NEWS 3

March 2022 2022 www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk March

SOS call for a chief engineer!

Thames boater fined for illegal moorings

THE owner of two boats has been fined £800 and ordered to pay costs of almost £21,000 for obstructing a busy part of the River Thames.

Alistair Trotman broke safety bylaws when mooring the barges he rented out as accommodation at one of the busiest sections of the river, at Molesey Lock in Surrey.

At Staines magistrates’ court on January 19, he was ordered to pay the Environment Agency’s costs of £20,591.40 and a victim surcharge of £80.

The Environment Agency took the 55-year-old to court for compromising the safe passage of other boats through the lock. Trotman kept Kupe and Rhythm of River, each 25m long, in the same spot next to EA land for months.

Boats moored permanently without the consent of the landowner can only remain stationary on the non-tidal Thames for up to 24 hours – and mustn’t cause an obstruction to other traffic.

Staines Magistrates last year convicted Trotman, who lives on board Kupe, at Kingston-uponThames, of berthing the boats for longer than legally allowed. He was also guilty of ignoring orders from the Thames harbour master to move them.

Colin Chiverton, environment manager for the River Thames at the Environment Agency, said: “Most boats using our locks do so lawfully and continue along the

Words and photos: Hugh Dougherty

WAVERLEY Excursions general manager Paul Semple has put out an urgent SOS appeal for a new chief engineer on PS Waverley.

The world’s last seagoing paddle steamer will mark the 75th anniversary of its first voyage in June this year.

But Paul stressed: “We need a new chief engineer urgently or else the ship won’t sail this year.”

He explained: “We’ve been running adverts to fill the post and have been using several specialist recruitment agencies since November last year and although a few candidates have applied, none has been suitable.

“The problem is that we need a seagoing engineer with a steam ticket and an engineer with that essential qualification is proving harder and harder to find. It’s as simple as this: either we find a new chief engineer, or Waverley won’t be able to sail.”

The revelation comes as Paul draws up the timetable for the 2022 season, which should see the iconic steamer sailing from the end of May until the end of September, mainly on the Clyde but including visits to Liverpool, North Wales, the Bristol Channel, the Thames and south coast piers.

Shipshape and getting ready for the 2022 season. But will Waverley sail if a chief engineer is not found?

Winter maintenance is currently ongoing at Waverley’s Glasgow berth, with decking plank replacement, low pressure cylinder overhaul and inspection, replacement of lifeexpired catering equipment, capstan overhaul, bench sanding and hull plate inspections in full swing. The ship will also be dry-docked at Greenock in April.

“Despite all this work going ahead to schedule in anticipation that we will be able to sail, not just to recreate Waverley’s first voyage to Arrochar,

Benchmark for restoration: deck benches being sanded down by a volunteer.

Waverley general manager Paul Semple checks out hull panels behind seating in the forward lounge. But searching out a chief engineer is proving trickier.

75 years on, but to enjoy a much fuller sailing season than last year, especially beyond the Clyde, we are still concerned that we have not yet appointed a chief engineer and the clock is ticking.

“If any readers know of a qualified, seagoing engineer with a steam ticket, or if they think they themselves would like to be considered for this key post, please email us at info@ waverleyexcursions.co.uk,” said Paul.

No pressure on the main gauges this summer unless a chief engineer who can read them is in post.

Kupe and Rhythm of River at Molesey. PHOTO: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

Replacement decking planks at the bows as work goes on to prepare the ship for 2022.

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river. Trotman’s £800 fine and nearly £21,000 costs, instead of the taxpayer footing the legal bill, show the result of not doing so.

“The Environment Agency also maintains some limited short-stay public moorings along almost 150 miles of the non-tidal River Thames to encourage pleasure boating and enable secure berthing at set locations. We urge all Thames boatowners to consider the size and type of vessel they use and how to comply with mooring requirements.”

The court heard evidence from Environment Agency officers that Trotman’s inconsiderate actions exposed other boats and their crews to obstruction and possible danger.

District judge Susan Cooper ruled in favour of the harbour master’s evidence the boats “were likely to affect the navigation of other vessels” in a stretch of water narrowed by Trotman’s actions.

Trotman did move Rhythm of River a few metres from its original position after being warned legal action was a possibility, but he was still in breach of the harbour master notices issued against both boats.

In keeping the boats in place and failing to comply with the harbour master’s two notices to move the boats, Trotman breached the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 and the Thames Conservancy Act 1932. He was fined £200 for each of the four offences.

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March 2022

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​Ecofuelboat to start East Midlands run Words and photos: Les Heath

​BOATERS moored around Nottingham, the Upper Trent and the River Soar will soon have a new floating service boat providing all their fuel requirements.

Experienced boater Howard Williams bought the ex-GUCC working boat Hampstead three years ago and has been preparing for his new venture for some time.

While at Sileby Mill on the River Soar, Howard ordered a steel diesel tank to be made by Stowfledge engineers adjacent to his mooring.

The tank was carefully craned into Hampstead in February and Howard is hoping to start his first fuel run in April.

The venture, to be known as Ecofuelboat, marks a new chapter in the life of Hampstead, a Large Woolwich built in 1937.

Howard explained: “I am hoping to provide a service from the centre of Nottingham, along Beeston Cut and the River Trent, on to the Trent & Mersey to Shardlow and also up the River Soar.”

Apart from diesel, logs and smokeless fuel Howard hopes to provide ecofuel, made from olive stones and fruit stones, plus a range of boating products.

The tank is craned into Hampstead.

Howard Williams on board Hampstead.

Disabled boater forum dates for 2022

THE Canal & River Trust has started its programme of disabled boater forums for 2022. The virtual meetings are held on the third Wednesday of alternate months.

To improve accessibility, the trust has arranged a British Sign Language interpreter to be present at the online meetings which began in February.

The informal forums are places for disabled boaters to discuss the challenges they face when using the inland waterways and to share their views about how to make positive changes. Boaters can also expect to get updates from the trust on work to address these issues and improve the boating experience.

CRT national boating manager Matthew Symonds said: “We recognise that boating can be more challenging for people with physical or mental health impairments and actively work with disabled boaters

to identify and solve problems where they arise.

“Accessibility means more than simply addressing physical barriers to visiting or getting on the water: making sure we improve communication for deaf people is important and we hope that, by inviting a British Sign Language interpreter to our regular forums, more boaters will be able to get involved.”

Dates for the meetings are: Wednesdays April 20, June 15, August 17, October 19 and December 21. All take place from 4-6pm.

Registration is via Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.co.uk or contact the trust to receive notice of upcoming meetings by emailing rachel. hayward@canalrivertrust.org.uk These forums also appear on the Inland Waterways Accessibility Forum site on Facebook.

Checking for a tight fit.

​ istoric bridge H being restored to former glory

OXFORD-BASED civil engineering company Greenford has been appointed by the Canal & River Trust to carry out works on Oxford Canal Bridge 233.

Originally built by renowned engineer James Brindley and his successor Samuel Simcock in the 18th century, Bridge 233 is a Grade II listed black and white timber lift bridge which has grown to become a characteristic feature of the southern Oxford Canal.

Due to the historical significance of the bridge, the works will fulfil the requirements of Historic England’s Grade II listed building standards and will be completed with great respect for the canal and towpath users, as well as the local ecology.

This counter-weighted lift bridge has fallen into disrepair after years of being a well-used part

Temporary dams have been installed either side of the bridge. of this celebrated canal.

Greenford is carrying out the works as a continuation of the trust’s scheme to regenerate the lift bridges of the Oxford Canal.

Temporary removable dams have been installed either side of the bridge

Bridge 233 is a Grade II listed black and white timber lift bridge. PHOTOS: GREENFORD

in order to dewater the section of canal water and allow access to the lower levels of the structure.

These temporary works are a non-invasive method of holding back water, with minimal impact on the environment.

The project has involved a fish rescue, carrying out the live capture and movement of fish out of the area and to a safe environment.

Greenford will repair the bridge abutments and failed approach walls which have been worn away over time and by the continuous passage of boat traffic.

A sub water-level duct

will be installed and used in the future for the provision of hydraulics to allow the bridge to be raised with ease, allowing more efficient lifting and lowering of the bridge.

Upon completion of the project, the bridge will be restored to its former glory with minimal impact to the environment and ecology of the historical canal. With extensive expertise in water and riparian solutions over nearly 25 years, Greenford has made a commitment to the environment and sustainability and prides itself on integrity and innovation in this area.

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March 2022

NEWS 5

​ hester to celebrate 250 C years of waterway heritage THE city of Chester, recently conferred with the status of the UK’s first Inland Heritage Port, is to celebrate the beginning of the Chester Canal by Act of Parliament 250 years ago in 1772.

Boats are expected to gather to support the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) organised campaign on the Dee Branch over the weekend of July 29-31, 2022.

IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch chairman Jim Forkin said: “The Chester Canal, like the rest of the network, now serves many purposes from boating to a ‘green corridor’ for both the well-being of much of the population and wildlife.

“Its heritage is incredible and deserves to be celebrated and promoted to the public at large.

However we must not forget that there are still sections of the network that, through lack of funds, the Canal & River Trust is neglecting and not maintaining and for that reason we are highlighting the issue of the Dee Branch.”

The event will be based in the very

centre of the city around Tower Wharf with ready access to all the facilities of this major tourist attraction.

Organisers are planning for 50 canalboats to make the journey from across the canal network along the Shropshire Union Canal from towns such as Ellesmere Port, Middlewich, Nantwich and possibly as far as The Potteries and Manchester.

The event, open to the public, is also planned to highlight the continued closure of the Dee Branch which gives access for vessels to the tidal River Dee and the sea, and which has been closed to navigation for 10 years.

Planning is ongoing and to make the event a great day out for boaters as well as the public, trade stalls and boats will be there along with a barbecue stand, ice cream and musical entertainment.

Several canal societies are expected to have exhibitions with experts on hand to answer questions, while there will be a special event for children.

The canal, designed to carry broad beam barges, linked Chester to the Cheshire town of Nantwich, opening

for business in 1779. The venture had a very shaky beginning as trade failed to develop sufficiently and a costly lock collapse at Beeston almost saw its complete demise in 1787.

However the canal was eventually linked to the national network, particularly when the Shropshire Union Canal arrived in Nantwich from the Midlands and a link to The Potteries via Middlewich brought more trade.

Profitable and well managed, it was to survive the end of long distance commercial carrying in 1958 in time for the boom in leisure boating, towpath walking and angling.

Public access is free and the organisers want to see as many families as possible enjoying the event.

The entry fee for visiting leisure vessels is £10 – for further details please contact Geoff Gittus at geoff.gittus@ waterways.org.uk and commercial enquiries would also be welcome.

For general enquiries please contact Jim Forkin at jim.forkin@ teamwaterways.org.uk

Boats gathered at Tower Wharf, Chester, for an IWA event in 2014. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Celebrating the finish in the September triathlon. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Montgomery Canal Triathlon to return in May AFTER the disruption of the last two years, plans are being made for the return of the Montgomery Canal Triathlon, the canal’s biggest event of the year.

The triathlon is organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal and is supported by the Canal & River Trust in aid of the restoration of the Montgomery Canal. It is one of the most popular cross-border events, starting in Newtown in Wales and ending in Shropshire.

Friends chairman Christine Palin said: “We are really looking forward to the triathlon and hope that this year it will not be affected by any restrictions.

Conditions last year meant we had to move the event to the autumn. There has been so much interest already, even before bookings have opened, that we hope we won’t have to limit the numbers taking part.

“Last year’s alternative format was enjoyed by many who took part so we shall repeat that, starting again from the new Open Newtown base – we hope that exciting project will be finished by May. The new arrangements mean canoeing through the centre of Welshpool which draws attention to what the canal will bring the town when it is connected to the rest of the waterway system.”

The annual event supports the restoration of the canal and ran for eight years before the coronavirus lockdown in 2020 caused a postponement to 2021. The ninth triathlon took place on September 4, 2021 and, owing to ongoing restoration works at Crickheath, near Oswestry, was shorter than the usual 35 miles at a special ‘marathon’ length of about 27 miles.

This year’s triathlon, scheduled for May 7, will have a format and ‘marathon’ length similar to last year, starting at Open Newtown’s ‘Severn Space – Gofod Hafren’ venue and finishing near restoration works at Crickheath.

There will be: • a 12-mile cycling section from Newtown to Belan • 5½ miles by canoe through Welshpool to Pool Quay • 9½ miles on foot to the finish at Crickheath.

Christine continued: “The event also shows what has been achieved in reopening the canal so far. After closure many road bridges were removed, blocking the canal. The cycling section includes five of these crossings; by contrast, canoeists will see the bridges north and south of Welshpool which are again open for navigation.

“The final section on foot, over the section to the Welsh border and through Llanymynech, includes the four road blockages which can be reopened with recently announced government grants as well as Schoolhouse Bridge to be rebuilt this year as one of the most exciting projects of the restoration.”

She added: “The Montgomery Canal Triathlon has always been very successful in raising funds for restoration. The Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal is raising the final funds for the reconstruction of Schoolhouse Bridge which is the biggest project volunteers have yet undertaken on the canal.

“The triathlon is popular with families as well as the more athletic with entrants aged from eight to 80 coming from across the country – and occasionally beyond!

“We are sure this year’s will be just as enjoyable.”

Booking for the Montgomery Canal Triathlon will open in the next few weeks and will be available only through the website https:// themontgomerycanal.org.uk/ friends/montgomery-canal-triathlon/

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6 NEWS

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Grindley Brook swamped by lock staircase visitors

By Colin Wareing

THE Canal and River Trust was inundated with visitors who wanted to see maintenance work on the three-lock staircase at Grindley Brook near Whitchurch in Shropshire on February 5.

Because of the Covid pandemic this was one of the first open days to resume, with the trust’s chief executive Richard Parry attending and looking forward to more of these events over the next few months during the winter works programme.

People were asked to book a time to go on the tour down the locks but more had to be put on as lots turned up without booking.

The locks are on the Llangollen Canal and are used extensively during the summer season so the winter works included repairs to the wooden lock gates, cills and access ladders. With locks having to be drained for the work to take place the chance was taken to set up an intricate scaffolding access system to safely let people down into the lock chambers.

Between Locks 4 and 5 people had the chance to have a go at fishing under guidance from the CRT angling team and the Port Sunlight Angling Club.

Scaffolding erected in the three-lock staircase to allow public access to inspect the drained locks.

At the welcome desk are Canal & River Trust colleagues Taylor and Julianne ready to book people in on the trip down the locks.

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2020 YEAR PLANNER YOUNG VOLUNTEER EARNS AWARD

Winter waters

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NEW APPEAL FOR PRESIDENT

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NARROWBOAT’S UNUSUAL CARGO

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Narrowboats moored on the Leeds

West & Liverpool Canal at Parbold, W

By Janet Richardson

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COLIN WAREING Lancashire in January 2019. PHOTO:

eams for 2019 are revealed k’s TTop TTeams T k’s Towpath Talk a s, we bid farewell awn AS A new decade dawn t th to 2019 with the results of our Towpath Top Team award which has been k Top Talk r r. running throughout the year.

With four teams shortlisted for the final with vote it was a veryy close-run contest t volunteers ty the Grantham Canal Society taking the title by a short head.

Such was the support also for from Crusader Community Boating first Blisworth that we are awarding our a rd – something Community Boat awa f the we had alreadyy been planning for r r. coming year. of Commended are the Friends the River Nene and the Waterways Buck.

Fiona and Chaplaincy’s Martin Award presentations to our finalists

r The r. will take place in the new year. off a winning team receives the hire day boat carrying up to 10 people, generously sponsored by ABC Leisure Group Ltd. The runner-up will receive a £100 voucher to spend at Midland four Chandlers at Braunston and all finalists will receive a £100 donation towards their volunteering organisation the from Mortons Media Group Ltd,

Talk. tth Tal publisher of Towpath Our thanks go to the readers who rose of to the challenge of finding a group a gone that extra ave unsung heroes who have f their local stretch off towpath, mile for a association or ays canal or river, waterways a our judging ave community boat – and gave shortlisting the of job panel a difficult four finalists.

• Continued on page 2

found on a boat moored Ouse bodies t achievemen f nd 100-dayCommunity of two men were fou probe Action Network (UCAN) THE bodies Boats gunshot were called UPPERMILL Y k city centre. Emergency services after starting in Yor investigating damage to narrowboats POLICE are Officers were after gunshots were fired in Cambridge. a December 5, at around 10.15pm, ay, called on Thursday, f m shots fro after nearbyy residents reported hearing near boats on the what was believed to be an air rifle the window of one River Cam. Photographs off holes in a since been published. One resident ave of the boats have the Chesterton told reporters thatt shots, coming from moored at Browns side of the river, were fired at boats on for about five Field, Fen Ditton, and this went no injuries were minutes. Cambridgeshire Police said reported and enquiries were continuing.

achieved its 100-day volunteering milestone 2300 hours of out in 2015. This included more than who, according voluntary work achieved by local people to, crafting to UCAN, “care about, and are committed environment”. and maintaining our beautiful local and for the positive Thanks were given to all supporters, work parties will feedback from the community. The next 8 and 20. The usual be on January 4 and 23, and February on Moorgate bridge canal the at 10am is point meeting Killan on 01457 Street but this can change. Contact Peter l.com peterkillan@hotmai or 878361

at around 8pm to Lendal Bridge on the River Ouse said officers on December 4. North Yorkshire Police f two men for attended “after concerns were raised with their touch in their 60s who had been out of bodies. Fire .” Upon arrival officers found the family.”

The deaths and ambulance services both attended. although did ‘unexplained’ were being treated as a post-mortem not appear to be suspicious and men had not The place. take examination was due to alk went to press.

Tal tth T been identified when Towpath

11/12/2019 10:17:16

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CRT chief executive Richard Parry, right, chatting with Simon Lockett, one of the work team involved with the project.

Visitors in the middle lock of the Grindley Brook staircase.

Further down the lock flight, the CRT angling team with help from the Port Sunlight Angling Club give visitors a chance to try their hand at fishing. PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

Minister welcomes the canals’ role in ‘green revolution’

THE Canal & River Trust recently hosted Lord Callanan, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, at London’s Docklands.

He heard about how the nation’s former industrial waterways can play a 21st century role in the ‘green Visiting London Docklands’ global data centre are, from left: Darren Leftley (CRT), Thomas McKnight (Interxion), industrial revolution’.

In Docklands the Lord Callanan, Assad Noori (Interxion) and Stuart Mills trust’s waterways have (CRT). PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST recently started providing low-carbon cooling for a global datacentre – drainage and the development of traffic-free in addition to the low-carbon energy already transport routes.” supplied to two residential towers and a hotel.

Lord Callanan commented: “Changing how we Lord Callanan heard about how, using warm and cool homes and workspaces is vital to water-sourced heat pumps, the low-carbon eradicating our contribution to climate change. energy in the trust’s national network of canals, The Canal & River Trust is a prime example of rivers and docks is enough to support the how water-sourced heat pumps can offer an heating and cooling needs of around 350,000 effective way of reducing emissions and how homes, with 650 megawatts of low-carbon the pace of rolling out cutting-edge low-carbon energy and a potential saving of more than a technologies is being accelerated across the UK.” million tonnes of CO2 per year.

Global data centre provider, Interxion: Hosting the visit, CRT chief investment A Digital Realty Company, worked with officer Stuart Mills said: “Our canals are the Canal & River Trust to implement the famous the world over as the original arteries environmentally friendly solution at its of the Industrial Revolution and for the boats London Docklands data centre – as it continues that still navigate them in the same way today. to move towards its global goal of reducing “These historic waterways can, however, also its scope one and two emissions (direct and be at the forefront of the new ‘green industrial indirect company emissions) by 68% by 2030. revolution’, offering huge opportunities to The trust is already working with a number help Government on the challenging journey of organisations to provide heating and towards ‘net zero’ with a wide variety of cooling, from data centres and municipal and carbon-friendly initiatives, from urban cooling industrial buildings to a residential district and ‘green’ energy to sustainable urban heat network in the East Midlands.

NEWS 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk March 2022

The ‘Iron Giant’ opens for walkers and cyclists

On a bright and crisp winter morning the Iron Giant stretches out across the valley of the River Erewash on the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire border.

For more information about the viaduct the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct have a web page at www. bennerleyviaduct.org.uk

By Colin Wareing

MANY boaters who have travelled the Erewash Canal will have been unable to miss the old iron railway viaduct that crosses the Erewash valley just above Stenson’s Lock.

Known affectionately as the ‘Iron Giant’, the Bennerley Viaduct was opened by the Great Northern Railway in 1877, carrying trains until the line was closed in 1968.

It was reopened to walkers and cyclists on January 13, 2022, although an official opening ceremony is planned for later in the year.

The viaduct is one of only two surviving wrought iron viaducts in the UK, the other being at Meldon in Devon.

Over the last two years or so with funding from the Railway Heritage Trust, Historic England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and World Monuments fund, £1.7 million has been spent to make the viaduct safe and accessible for walkers and cyclists.

New access ramps have been built at either end of the viaduct with the westerly access ramp leading directly off the towpath of the Erewash Canal.

The viaduct will make a good leg stretch for towpath walkers and boaters alike, being 1410ft or 430m long.

The River Erewash flows towards Nottingham along its valley on the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire border as seen from the deck of the Iron Giant. Further along the viaduct it crosses the derelict Nottingham Canal and at the other end the access ramp drops down on to the towpath of the Erewash canal.

Looking down the access ramp from the Bennerley Viaduct to the Erewash Canal towpath. PHOTOS: COLIN

Canalside cottage on the market

A RARE opportunity has arisen to buy a Georgian cottage alongside the Grand Union Canal at New Bridge, Long Buckby Wharf near Daventry, Northamptonshire.

It was built around the same time as this part of the canal which was constructed in 1820 and, as with the neighbouring cottages, was intended to house canal workers and lock keepers. It is now in a conservation area.

There is lots of wildlife on and around the canal and to quote the current owner: “It’s like living in front of a moving landscape.” There is very little light pollution so it’s also great for stargazers.

Turn left and you can walk to Whilton Marina or turn right and walk to the canalside pub, The New Inn.

However there is no direct access by vehicle to the front or back door, but there is parking available over the bridge. The property can be accessed either directly from the towpath, via the front porch or from the rear access footpath via a modern conservatory.

The property has a guide price of £350,000 and is being marketed

by Campbells’ Daventry office on 01327 878926, visit www.campbellonline.co.uk

WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

Walkers stop for a chat on the viaduct.

The cottage overlooking the Grand Union Canal. PHOTO SUPPLIED

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8 NEWS

March 2022 March 2022

Funding success enables bank restoration to begin in anniversary year THE Chichester Ship Canal Trust has secured 75% of the funding needed for the initial phase of the bank restoration programme.

Its fundraising campaign began in autumn 2020 and thanks to individual donors, contributions from local councils, significant grants, as well as income generated by canal activities, this success means that work can begin.

Specialist contractors will restore the most critically damaged sections of the canal bank, which are the very foundations of the canal, underpinning the towpath used by so many people, keeping the waterway safe for all users, and managing water flow.

Trustee Mark Stoneham said: “We’re obviously thrilled with the funding position, and delighted we can start this work to celebrate our 200th anniversary year. We’ve seen during the pandemic how important the canal is for both physical and mental recreation, whether for dog walkers, joggers or weekend walkers, and we appreciate that the closure of a very heavily used stretch of the towpath will impact on many local residents.

“However, it’s really important that this work is carried out safely and promptly, so that the towpath

and waterway are safe for users now and into the future.”

The stretch to be completed first runs from approximately 300m south of the steps to the Canal Walk housing development towards Hunston for about 250m. The trust is providing excavators, a tug and barge to help with the movement of materials.

An alternative route available via the A27 during the closure has been approved by West Sussex County Council Public Rights of Way. The waterway will remain open for licensed paddlers and scheduled boat trips.

The towpath surface, which was resurfaced in 2021 with funding from Donnington Parish Council, will be returned to its new high standard.

Mark added: “The work is scheduled to be completed ahead of our 200th anniversary celebration event on Saturday, April 9, in the Easter holidays, and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the canal to mark this significant milestone.”

The trust will continue to raise funds and apply for external funding to enable restoration to further stretches of the canal banks to be completed in the next few years.

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S​ pring-cleaning the canalside leaves ​T H E Uppermill Community Action Network (UCAN) has been out and about again looking forward to working together after the Christmas break.

Main focus of this session was clearing away the aftermath of the many fallen autumn leaves which have now turned wet, muddy and therefore, slippery underfoot, which can of course be quite dangerous for the many walkers along the canal side.

But while dead leaves can look unsightly and be a hazard for walkers they can also act as a natural fertiliser for the soil and home for wildlife, so the team deliberately leaves piles at the sides of the

canal wall out of the way from harm where they can slowly and naturally decompose.

Clearing the paths but still providing a home for wildlife and feeding the soil is a win-win. Some of the dead leaves are also used for the Uppermill allotments to boost the various compost heaps for use in spring.

Whilst one team was

clearing the leaves, two volunteers litter-picked in surrounding areas and the bags of litter were helpfully collected by the Canal & River Trust.

Future work party dates are: Thursday, March 3; Saturday, March 26; Saturday, April 23; Thursday, May 12; Saturday, May 28; Thursday, June 9; and Saturday, June 25.

UCAN work parties usually meet at Spring Gardens, Moorgate Street, by the canal bridge, at 10am but sometimes this varies so will be confirmed nearer to each of the above dates.

As usual, all equipment will be provided by the Canal & River Trust.

New volunteers are welcome and anyone who would like further information please contact Peter Killan on 01457 878361 or email peterkillan@ hotmail.com

Postcode grant benefits Montgomery restoration THE Shropshire Union Canal Society has been awarded a grant from the Postcode Local Trust.

This is great news for the ongoing restoration initiative to link the anticipated reconstruction of Schoolhouse Bridge with Crickheath Basin.

The grant of £13,335, awarded in January 2022, will be spent on items necessary for volunteers to continue working as they face a very busy final season on the present section of restoration approaching Crickheath Basin, including the laying of 40,000 concrete blocks.

This fresh funding will also enable the society to divert other resources to

the initial works on the next section, south of Crickheath Bridge, which will begin in earnest in 2023.

Preliminary preparation has begun, with surveys and vegetation clearance taking place, and at Crickheath Wharf, where engineering, heritage and ecological planning is under way.

A working day was held in January, on the current project site, to remove the remaining IBCs (bulk containers) from the compounds at Crickheath and Pryces Bridge.

New, willing hands are always very welcome and there are numerous other tasks if you are allergic to concrete! For work party details visit www.shropshireunion.org.uk

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WITH the relaxation of Covid restrictions the Bradley Canal Restoration Society has been able to start work clearing the overgrown towpath vegetation and boughs overhanging and obstructing the navigation.

So far there have been four work parties and before the start of the nesting season, it is hoped to reach the foot of unfilled Lock No 9.

The work parties were well attended and a considerable amount of overgrowth has been cleared from both sides of the ‘in water’ canal from Moorcroft Junction for several hundred yards.

Litter has been picked and logs cut to length and left for those with

​ bove: BCRS volunteers A removing one of the trees.

PHOTO: BCRS

log burners to help themselves.

By spring BCRS hopes to have been given the green light to clear the bottom lock of silt and rubbish. This lock has previously been restored with a HLF Grant and appears intact, requiring only the reinstatement of gates and paddle gear.

Work parties continue fortnightly on Saturdays, and further details are available on the BCRS website at www.bradleycanal.co.uk/ and Bradley Canal Restoration Society Facebook page.

Scrub clearance at Crickheath Wharf. PHOTO: FRED BARRETT

NEWS 9

www.towpathtalk.co.uk March 2022

Characters of the Cut Star Crafts

By Alice Griffin

SIX sewing machines is not necessarily what you expect to find beneath the cloths of a historic working boat but this, along with workbenches, is precisely what you will discover when peeling back the layers of narrowboat Nebulae.

A 71ft 6in small Woolwich butty built

by Harland and Wolff in 1935 to carry coal and other goods, Nebulae still has a traditional back cabin. However, the hold has now been converted into a workshop and shop for Star Crafts, run by husband and wife team, Alan and Nicky Buckle.

“We met and married in 1997 and soon started to visit and use my parents’ boat,” Alan told me. “This worked up to us wanting our own boat and by 2005 we had our first and by 2008 had upgraded to a boat which we started living on.”

In 2012 Alan and Nicky finally moved on to their current liveaboard, 70ft Adrastea, a replica of a small Woolwich boat built by Roger Farringdon at Braunston bottom lock.

Once settled and with Alan working Bletchley – a 1935 large Woolwich motor boat – as a fuel boat along the River Nene, Nicky began revisiting old hobbies, re-honing her skills from a career working in the sewing industry.

“Sewing machines and embroidery are her thing and along with a creative flair and artistic talents, she was enjoying developing her skills and making things,” said Alan.

The need for a suitable outlet soon became obvious and so, after a turn of

A miscellany of handcrafted gifts on show.

Out of season Alan Buckle also helps with boat moving and on the fuel boats. PHOTOS SUPPLIED events in family life, in 2018 they sold Bletchley and purchased Nebulae to work alongside Adrastea. “I’ve always been interested in historic boats,” Alan shared.

“I love the way they look and the simple but practical way they are built. I’m glad we’re still keeping Nebulae working today, albeit in a slightly different way!”

Alan and Nicky are regular faces on the Grand Union. “We often do pop-up towpath trading in popular locations like Stoke Bruerne, Braunston and Foxton.

Craftswoman Nicky Buckle at the hatch.

This is our regular cruising route during winter as it’s close to family.”

In the summer they go further afield which last year included festivals in Birmingham and travelling the Shropshire Union to Market Drayton.

“We try and do as many festivals as we can, which hopefully this year will be possible again.”

Out of season Alan does some boat moving and helps out on the coal boats with Grand Union favourites, Jules Fuels.

In addition he has a growing fanbase on YouTube where he gives subscribers the insider view on all things canals.

“I’ve had YouTube for a few years but it was lockdown that gave me the time to do more and I’ve come to enjoy it.” Having grown up around boats, it’s clear Alan has a natural affinity and keen interest, which Nicky shares. “We both like the canals for the simple lifestyle. We like the way it’s a great leveller with a camaraderie that’s rarely found elsewhere.”

This extension of friendship within the community is certainly upheld by Alan and Nicky. When I first caught sight of them setting up shop for Christmas sales in the cold winter at Stoke Bruerne, they were warm and welcoming. “We enjoy chatting to and helping people. Once we helped a guy re-bolt his gearbox to his engine which had literally fallen off while going through a lock!”

Another time Alan pulled a guy out of the water in Braunston tunnel. “He’d fallen off the back of his hire boat while going through the tunnel and his elderly crew were unable to find the strength to pull him out.”

Trading alongside the towpath in everything from cushions to copper accessories, painted slates to peg bags.

Luckily for this hireboat crew, Alan and Nicky came across them while travelling in the opposite direction. “It was pretty scary and once the guy was safely back in the cabin I had to show his wife how to steer so she could get them out of the tunnel safely.”

Thank goodness for such cheery faces on the canals! And hopefully this year Towpath Talk readers will get to experience them too as Alan and Nicky open up their workshop and unveil their winter creations to the spring towpath.

From Nicky you will find everything YouTube channel: Star Crafts on the canal Facebook: @StarCraftsNebulae Etsy: starcraftsnebulae.etsy.com

from exquisitely embroidered bookholder cushions and delicately painted slates, to peg bags, fleece hats and much much more. From Alan you’ll find side rope fenders, copper kitchen and bathroom accessories and also tiller pins. Plus, this year, they’ll be moving into cratch repairs such as new zips, windows and re-stitching – with a new sewing machine joining the family specifically for the job!

Alice Griffin is a writer wandering the waterways aboard NB Melody.

Do make sure you stop to say hello and share your stories if you pass her on the canal! Instagram: alice_is_in_wanderland www. alicegriffin.co.uk

Wooden narrowboat rescued for restoration project

Words and photos: Colin Wareing

BACK in 2018 a wooden boat that started life as a butty in 1910 was languishing in a sunken state on the Grand Union canal in Braunston when a lorry driver from the Liverpool area, on a break from the cab, took a wander down the towpath.

The driver, Glynn Robertson, who had a hankering for a new project and a long-held desire for a wooden boat, rescued the narrowboat, Conway.

After pumping the boat out and refloating it, making it watertight and getting the engine going again, he and a mate took it up north to a mooring in Litherland on the Leeds & Liverpool canal on the outskirts of Liverpool.

Over the last two years much work has been undertaken on the restoration. This has included replacing a lot of timbers of the hull, re-blacking it, replacing the wooden cabin, fitting a replacement engine

Rescued wooden narrowboat Conway passes the disused locks at Appley Bridge on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in late July. and gearbox and now the internal fit-out is being worked on.

The boat was built for Thomas Claytons of Oldbury, becoming the company’s fleet No. 19.

It was sold to ICI in 1949 when it was shortened from its original 70ft length to 60ft and motorised with an engine. It was mainly used as a tanker boat carrying oil and chemicals.

Conway has now been moved to a

new mooring on the Bridgewater Canal where work will continue to fit out a new engine room, bathroom and a traditional boatman’s back cabin. The area that was the hold has started to become the sleeping area and will remain with a clothed-up covering.

A lot of hard work has resulted in the ongoing job that looks great from the outside and hopefully I’ll be invited back to see the finished project.

The back cabin roof and hatch cover.

The former cargo hold which is being converted to two bedrooms for leisure use.

This Sabb engine replaced the Ailsa Craig engine that was in the boat when it was rescued from Braunston. The owner is restoring the boat and will build a new engine room around the engine and then a traditional boatman’s cabin in the space beyond the engine and the steps that lead up to the back deck, or counter.

10 NEWS

March 2022

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

To Ireland by narrowboat Alison Alderton finds out about ambitious plans for a voyage across the Irish Sea to raise money for a very deserving cause.

THIS spring, Martin Holmes is setting out on an ambitious journey to reach Ireland by narrowboat and raise funds for the Rainbow Trust that supports families with a seriously ill child.

I caught up with Martin in the depths of winter, when he looked back on a summer of hard work, culminating in sea trials. My first question was – can a narrowboat be taken to sea? Martin’s answer was simply, yes, provided certain criteria are strictly adhered to.

Martin has a real passion for travel and adventure. In the early days it was the UK – Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, in fact anywhere there were mountains and the ocean. As life progressed Martin ventured further afield, into Europe and Africa, travelling across deserts and high mountain ranges.

During the early Nineties Martin was drawn to Ireland, travelling by motorcycle, he became completely captivated not just by the scenery but also by the people, culture, music and Guinness.

One summer evening while sitting outside the Malt Shovel in Shardlow with his two sons, a beautiful narrowboat chugged past and in Martin’s mind an idea began to form.

Jonathan Wilson in Thorne supplied a 60ft traditional tug style narrowboat for Martin to fit out and during a conversation with his late father, a Methodist Minister, he suggested Ungrund as a name – meaning the place from where everything begins.

Cracking on

A few years went by, travelling the waterways with his boys, but Ireland by sea was always in his thoughts. One morning, in January last year, Martin finally decided he had better crack on so he set about demolishing all his hard work from some years previously.

The boat had to be structurally sound, completely watertight and able to travel on rough waters at reasonable speed.

Martin needed to insert a watertight

Initial fabrication of bulkhead and engine deck.

Ungrund moored at Kings Lynn.

Ungrund on The Wash.

PHOTOS: MARTIN HOLMES

Completed bulkhead with escape hatch. bulkhead and seal the engine deck, as narrowboats are most vulnerable to taking on water at the bow and stern.

Fabricating the new bulkhead and engine deck, combustion air ducts were fitted port and starboard with large scupper valves installed in the hull to allow water to escape. To seal the cabin windows, he fabricated an internal frame allowing installation of yacht hatches, maintaining the appearance of a traditional narrowboat with external shutters.

Air vents on the roof were replaced with yacht vents and the original portholes were removed and new brass portholes cast that could take 7mm toughened glass. With the boat now watertight, extra hull strengthening plates were fitted to further improve structural integrity.

a narrowboat in the same marina, volunteered as crew. In August they left Shardlow for the port of King’s Lynn.

Reaching Salters Lode things became a little tense. The lockkeepers asked Martin where he would be picking up a pilot for The Wash crossing and where he

Sea trial

After completing these modifications, Martin needed somewhere to test the boat – the closest was The Wash.

Martin’s long-suffering friend Daryl Turner, who lives on

Martin and Daryl en route to The Wash.

would meet the other boats in his party – to their astonishment Martin replied that he would not be doing either!

At King’s Lynn they found a suitable mooring for Ungrund amongst the trawlers, with the shrill call of seagulls all around. Early next morning, having prepared the boat for sea, the intrepid duo set out for Roaring Middle an hour after high water.

Spotting the buoy at Roaring Middle, they were now 17 miles out with no sight of land, but could not arrive in Boston until one hour after high water to enable passage through the Grand Sluice Lock, so they passed the time tacking up and down using the buoy as a marker. The weather deteriorated with the wind increasing to 30mph which really churned up the water but the boat performed perfectly and arrived safely in Boston on schedule.

With the dream of Ireland now a possibility; Martin proposes to journey to Ellesmere Port and await a suitable weather window. From there the plan is to voyage along the north coast of Wales to Anglesey and, with the next favourable tide and weather window, set a course for Dublin.

Martin is not looking to break records or to gain anything other than safe passage to Ireland, and in the process

Engine deck in situ showing combustion ducts. raise funds for the Rainbow Trust.

Oonagh Goodman, Rainbow Trust’s director of fundraising and engagement said: “We are delighted that Martin has chosen to support Rainbow Trust through his voyage to Ireland by narrowboat. This sounds like an amazing adventure and Martin has been working extremely hard to raise income and awareness for the Rainbow Trust through his incredible challenge.

“We are grateful for all his efforts; the money raised will help us to support families with a seriously ill child.

We look forward to celebrating his achievement in the summer when he successfully makes it over to Ireland!”

To be continued...

For more information: Martin has a Facebook page, Narrowboat to Ireland, which includes links to Just Giving.

NEWS 11

www.towpathtalk.co.uk March 2022

Helen to head regional advisory board

THE Canal & River Trust has appointed Helen Grantham as the new chairman of its Regional Advisory Board for Yorkshire and the North East.

This voluntary role, for an initial three-year term, will help the trust connect people and communities with the region’s waterways – covering North, South and West Yorkshire, East Riding, and parts of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Helen, from Harrogate, will lead the advisory board to give people a voice in developing and improving their local waterways and an opportunity to help guide the Trust’s decisions and strategies.

She said: “The canals and rivers tell the story of Yorkshire and the North East, past and present. Today they offer an exciting range of opportunities for the communities they run through, for health, leisure and trade. I look forward to working with the team and making a positive difference for the Trust and local people.”

Helen is also the group secretary and general counsel at the Co-op Group and council member at the University of Leeds.

She has extensive board, executive and Yorkshire & North East regional board chairman Helen Grantham. PHOTO: CRT

non-executive experience of organisations with wide stakeholder engagement.

Most recently, this has included a key focus on communities, strong commitments on climate change, and championing inclusivity and diversity.

Yorkshire & North East regional director Sean McGinley said: “I am delighted to welcome Helen to the Canal & River

Trust. Her passion for making a difference and experience of working at a strategic level will be a great asset to the region as we encourage more use and sharing of the spaces on and beside the water.

“Our diverse canals and rivers link historic industrial towns and great cities like Leeds, Sheffield and York with rural tranquillity and are uniquely placed to help improve people’s lives; whether it is encouraging people to go for a walk or a leisurely cycle, picking up a fishing rod for the afternoon, getting out onto the water on a boat, or volunteering with the Trust out on the canal bank.”

The Yorkshire & North East Region’s waterways stretch over 300 miles and include all or part of: Aire & Calder Navigation Main Line and Wakefield Branch; Calder & Hebble Navigation; Chesterfield Canal; Huddersfield Broad Canal; Huddersfield Narrow Canal; Leeds & Liverpool Canal; New Junction Canal; Pocklington Canal; Ripon Canal; River Aire; River Ouse; River Tees; Rochdale Canal; Selby Canal; Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigations; Sheffield & Tinsley Canal; Stainforth & Keadby Canal; Ure Navigation.

CRT gets the hump over costly bridge strikes THE Canal & River Trust is asking drivers carrying out repairs to the bridge over several to take much more care when crossing the weeks; the project is scheduled to take place 200-year-old hump-back bridges that span between April and October 2022, with dates the nation’s canal network. to be confirmed nearer the time.

Each year modern vehicles and HGVs cause Ruth Garratt, trust heritage advisor added: up to £1 million of damage to bridges which “Each time a bridge is hit a small bit of history were built to carry horse-drawn carts. Among is lost. If motorists just slowed down a bit and its network of canals and rivers, the trust looks paid more attention, they would save a lot after 2800 of these historical structures. of cost and aggravation. It’s important that The majority of accidents are ‘hit and run’, people respect the weight limit of the bridge leaving the trust unable to recoup the cost of and, if they exceed it, then we’d ask them to the damage from drivers’ insurers and diverting please find an alternative route.” vital funds away from work to conserve the nation’s waterways.

In the Yorkshire & North East region, Priest Holme Bridge, a Grade II listed bridge on a rural section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Gargrave and Bank Newton, has been frequently struck by vehicles.

Regional director Sean McGinley said: “Priest Holme Bridge has been damaged several times over the years by vehicles misjudging the road.

Not only are these bridge strikes inconveniencing other motorists and the local community, they are damaging the region’s waterways heritage and are costly to repair.

“Each time our charity is left to pick up the repair bill, usually in the region of £25,000. We are working closely with North Yorkshire County Council’s highways department to find a way to resolve this ongoing issue.”

Priest Holme Bridge has been damaged several The Trust’s team will be times. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

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12 IWA ROUND-UP

March 2022

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AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH IWA’S JOANNE MASS

​ ampaign to save C historic Essex bridge IWA has objected to plans to replace the historic Boxted Bridge over the River Stour in North Essex, in support of a local campaign to protect the structure.

Essex Highways has proposed demolishing the 124-year-old bridge and replacing it with a wider one.

Boxted Bridge is in the heart of the Dedham Vale, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a steel girder bridge built in 1897 and an important part of the waterways heritage of the area. The river is popular for navigation by small craft such as canoes and paddleboards.

IWA feels that the bridge should be repaired and retained, saying replacing it with a new and much wider bridge would be harmful to the setting of Boxted Mill. It would result in loss of a structure of intrinsic historic significance, IWA said.

HS2 and integrated rail plans continue to threaten waterways THE decision to scrap the Eastern Leg of HS2 between the East Midlands and Leeds in favour of upgrading existing routes is good news for several waterways that were threatened by the proposals.

IWA has welcomed this in its submission to an inquiry into the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), which affects several waterways and canal restoration projects.

However, it continues to be critical of the intention to press ahead with the Western Leg of HS2 2b.

Additionally, there is a lack of detail on the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) routes which may adversely affect other waterways.

The IRP was published in November 2021. It covers HS2 Phase 2b, NPR and some Midlands Rail Hub proposals and sets out the

The historic Boxted Bridge over the River Stour.

PHOTO: IWA

Government’s decisions on new high-speed lines and major upgrades of the rail network in the North and Midlands over the next 30 years.

IWA’s submission was made in response to an invitation by the House of Commons Transport Select Committee to anyone concerned by the implications of the IRP and how it integrates with HS2.

IWA is campaigning to protect canals and rivers from the damaging effects of HS2, especially where the tranquillity of the waterways is under threat. IWA’s HS2 route changes have already reduced waterways crossings – saving the project £50 million – and secured agreement for a new canal restoration route, a new mooring basin, changes in viaduct designs and improved noise protection.

Read more at waterways.org. uk/hs2

Cotswold Canals focus at Waterway Restoration Conference Decorated boats line the towpath at a previous Festival of Water. PHOTO: IWA

Festival of Water comes to the Trent & Mersey Canal IWA’S Festival of Water is a bank holiday weekend of fun for all who love spending time by the water.

This year’s event will take place on the Trent & Mersey

Canal in Burton-upon-Trent, Nottinghamshire over the August Bank Holiday weekend. A full programme of music and dance will take place.

Festivalgoers can attend for the day or stay for the weekend. Boat moorings and campsite pitches are available to book. Visit waterways. org.uk/festival to find out more.

Get involved – join us on a work party IWA branches are getting back to work to improve waterways across the country.

Work parties have been risk assessed and mitigating measures are in place.

Please contact the branch to register an interest if you would like to attend one of these work parties. It is advisable to wear stout shoes, old clothing and bring a waterproof. You may also want to take a packed lunch and any refreshments.

North Thursday March 17 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Work party on the

Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal. 10am to 3pm. Contact John Lawson: John.lawson@waterways. org.uk or phone 07940 878923.

East Tuesdays IWA Milton Keynes Branch:

Regular work party at Fenny Lock on the Grand Union Canal.

9.30am-1.30pm. Work can include vegetation clearance, gardening,

litter picking and painting. Work parties are dependent on weather.

Contact Pat Durham: pat.durham@ waterways.org.uk or phone 07510 195918.

West Tuesdays and Saturdays IWA West Country Branch (Taunton & Bridgwater): Work parties

party on the Northampton Arm as part of the branch’s adoption of the navigation. 10am-2pm. Work usually includes a variety of tasks such as painting, vegetation clearance and litter picking. Contact Geoff Wood: geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 453932.

In addition to work parties, IWA branches host local waterway talks, walks and socials to share the wonder of the waterways. Many of these are open to anyone who wants to come along. Find something that’s on near you at waterways.org. uk/events

Sunday March 6 and Tuesday March 15 IWA Northampton Branch: Work

THE 2022 Waterway Restoration Conference, jointly organised by the Inland Waterways Association and Canal & River Trust, is taking place at the Subscription Rooms in George Street, Stroud on Saturday, March 26 from 9.30am-2.30pm.

It will focus on overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities with a range of keynote speakers and waterway focused case studies from the Cotswold Canals and the Montgomery Canal.

Presentations include:

Reconnecting Stroud to the National Canal

Network with a focus on the A38 Whitminster Roundabout: Jim White,

chairman of the Cotswold Canals Trust.

Importance of Partnership: The power of community engagement and getting the political influence in place: Chris

Mitford-Slade, canal project director, Stroud District Council.

Opportunities for the Sector: Levelling Up Fund and the Shared Prosperity Fund with a Case Study from the Montgomery Canal: Dr

Ian Sesnan, consultant and IWA trustee and John Dodwell, Montgomery Canal Partnership and

James Leach, Canal & River Trust.

Breakout sessions will be:

Diversifying your Board and volunteer base workshop: Grace

Jeremy, Young Trustees Movement

Relining your canal – methods and solutions for volunteer led projects:

Neil Owen, engineer for the Canal & River Trust

The conference will end around 2.30pm to allow delegates the time to go on a self-guided discovery tour of the Cotswold Canals projects.

To book a place visit www.waterways.org.uk

in the Somerset area. 10am-1pm.

Contact Mike Slade: mike.slade@ waterways.org.uk on 07977 263840.

Branch talks and socials

One of the keynote speeches will focus on the Whitminster roundabout project. PHOTO: COTSWOLD CANALS TRUST